After hotel pickup in central Xian, travel by private car or minivan to the Banpo Museum on the city’s eastern outskirts.
On route, hear an introduction to Banpo from your guide. The museum occupies the site of a Neolithic village dating from 4,500 BC, and showcases the finds unearthed there.
On arrival, go inside (own expense) to explore, seeing the recreations and remnants of houses and graves, and artefacts such as sickles and pottery. As you look around, learn about the matriarchal society and rich culture of the Yangshao peoples who lived here.
Next, continue to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, and the Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor).
Enter (own expense) the museum for a guided visit, and marvel at the pits holding the clay army of more than 8,000 soldiers, chariots, and horses. Learn how each sculpture was given individual features and buried with the emperor in around 210 BC, before being discovered in 1974. In addition, head into the ante-rooms to view the bronze chariots and weapons that were also found in the pits.
Afterward, return to Xian, where your tour ends with a hotel drop-off.
